US Intelligence Committee Chairman Michael R. Turner on October 18 appealed to US President Joseph Biden to immediately respond to reports that North Korean troops are preparing to join the Russian army fighting in Ukraine.

North Korean troops attacking or invading Ukraine from Russia “must be a red line for the United States and NATO,” Turner said.

Turner also cited public reports from Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence agencies that North Korean troops may be advancing via Russian naval vessels.

Turner called the situation “alarming” and a significant escalation of the conflict and called on the US and NATO to act immediately.

He called for an urgent classified briefing to the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees and stressed the need for rapid U.S. and NATO action to prevent a major conflict.

Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the first group of 2,600 troops would be deployed to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine began a cross-border incursion in August and still holds significant territory.

He said nearly 11,000 North Korean soldiers were in Russia and would be “battle-ready” in Ukraine by November 1.

Western-made parts found in North Korean missile fired over Ukraine, report shows

Microelectronics from companies from the United States, Switzerland, Britain and the Netherlands were found in the North Korean missile fired over Poltava Oblast.